(August 12) The X-15 Rocket Plane, Flying the First Wings into Space

When:  Aug 12, 2023 from 11:15 to 14:30 (PT)
Associated with  Los Angeles-Las Vegas Section

RSVP and Information: https://conta.cc/3MtxzJu

AIAA LA-LV Section Meeting 8/12
Long Beach, CA
Saturday, August 12, 2023
The X-15 Rocket Plane,
Flying the First Wings into Space
with a large display of X-15 artifacts, images, models, and more
by
Ms. Michelle Evans
(The speaker will present in person)
Author, Bestseller "The X-15 Rocket Plane, Flying the First Wings into Space"
Founder and President, Mach 25 Media (www.Mach25Media.com)
AIAA Distinguished Speaker
Writer, Photographer, and Communications Specialist in aerospace
Who?
Michelle Evans is the founder of Mach 25 Media (www.Mach25Media.com) and is a writer, photographer, and communications specialist in aerospace. She has written the bestselling book “The X-15 Rocket Plane, Flying the First Wings into Space” which was published by the University of Nebraska Press as part of their “Outward Odyssey, People's History of Spaceflight” series. Michelle's background in aerospace engineering includes serving in the US Air Force working on missile systems, and later in private industry accomplishing environmental testing for systems used in airliners and spacecraft. Her current work primarily involves exciting audiences about space exploration by speaking of the X-15 and other areas of the space program at venues across the country, as well as overseas. Michelle is a Distinguished Speaker with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and her book on the X-15 was a finalist for the Eugene M. Emme Award for Astronautical Literature. Michelle received the Diverse Community Leader Award from Orange County Human Relations, and was recognized as number 3 on the Orange County Register’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in Orange County. She has appeared in numerous publications, including Air & Space Smithsonian, Ad Astra, Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, and the New York Times. Michelle had feature stories about her life in both Time and Newsweek magazines. She was a technical consultant on the Neil Armstrong biopic “First Man,” and has consulted with National Geographic television for “The Real Right Stuff.”
What?
The X-15 Rocket Plane, Flying the First Wings into Space
With the Soviet Union’s launch of the first Sputnik satellite in 1957, the Cold War soared to new heights as Americans feared losing the race into space. This presentation tells the enthralling yet little-known story of the hypersonic X-15, the winged rocket ship that met this challenge and opened the way into human-controlled spaceflight.
This remarkable research aircraft held the world’s altitude record for 41 years, and still has no equal to match or better its speed of more than 4,500 mph. Beyond the X-15 are the stories of the 12 men who guided it into space, and all the people who kept the rocket plane flying for nearly a decade. This is the story that has never been told of the vehicle that was the true precursor to the Space Shuttle by being the first piloted and winged
vehicle to exit Earth’s atmosphere, and make a precision piloted reentry to a landing on hard-packed dry desert lakebeds.
In her research, Ms. Evans conducted 80 interviews, including 9 of the 12 pilots, such as Neil Armstrong, Scott Crossfield, Joe Walker, and Robert White, with family representatives for the remaining pilots. Others she spoke with include managers, flight planners, and the technicians and engineers who made the X-15 ready to fly its next research mission at high altitude and high Mach, expanding the frontiers of flight research.
Where?
Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library
Community Meeting Room
5870 Atlantic Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90805
(This event is not sponsored by the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library)
(East of 710 Hwy, South of 91 Hwy, North of 405 Hwy, and West of 605. Near the junction of 710 Hwy and 91 Hwy.)
Parking
(Free Library Parking in the Library Parking Lot on the back side of the library.)
When?
Saturday, August 12, 2023, 11:15 AM - 2:30 PM PDT
Introduction/Presentation starts at 12:55 PM / 1:00 PM
(Ticket sales will end after Friday, August 11, 2023, or whenever tickets are sold out.)
Dress Code
No open-toe shoes (except for medical purposes or needs)
Contact:
events.aiaalalv@gmail.com or (949)426-8175 (phone/text ok) (AIAA LA-LV Events/Program)
Coordinating Organization: 
Tentative Agenda: (All Time PDT (GMT -0700))
11:15 am PDT: Check-in, Networking, Book-signing, small exhibition of some X-15-related items.
12:00 pm PDT: Lunch for those who order lunch or bring own's lunch. Networking. Book-signing
12:55 pm PDT: Welcome and Introduction
01:00 pm PDT: Presentations and Q&A
02:30 pm PDT: Adjourn. Networking. Wrapping up.
03:00 pm PDT: Leave the meeting room (Community Room) by 3 pm PDT
Tickets: (No Refund Within 7 Days of the Event Date or Afterwards)
In-Person:
  $5 Presentation Only -No Lunch
$23 AIAA Student / Educator Member Price (w/ Lunch)
$28 Non-AIAA Member -Student / Educator (w/ Lunch)
$27 AIAA Professional Member Price (w/ Lunch)
$32 Non-AIAA Member -Professional Price (w/ Lunch)
$24 AIAA Life-Time Member or Emeritus Member (w/ Lunch)
$24 AIAA Member with 20 or more years of membership (w/ Lunch)
Disclaimer: The views of the speakers do not represent the views of AIAA or the AIAA Los Angeles-Las Vegas Section
Click or Scan the QR Code to donate (or Click the Donate Button). AIAA LA-LV is 501(c)3 non-profit professional organization
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Los Angeles - Las Vegas Section

Location

Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library
5870 Atlantic Ave.
Community Meeting Room
Long Beach, CA 90805
Event Image

Contact

Events/Progrma Chair
9494268175
events.aiaalalv@gmail.com